Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
