Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
