Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, 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 bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a better team because when all the players return, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
