Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
