Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said 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 while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
