Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter stages as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will become a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "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 captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. 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 true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
