Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"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 specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
