Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder 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 miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
