Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
