Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, 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 input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
