Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. 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 Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
