Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
