Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys 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 leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
