Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of 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 problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs 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 Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
