Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster 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 side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss 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. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
