Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
