Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
