Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, 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 coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss 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 telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
