Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
