Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
