Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow 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 competition.
