Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars 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 providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 competition.
