Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable 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 be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
