Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter phase as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of 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 Timeline for Key Players
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 unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
