Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.