Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
