Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
