Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a separate time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us become a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
