Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured 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 duty.
