Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured 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 duty.
