Boss Ruben Amorim says 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 moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars 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 international competition.
