Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when all the players are back, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
