Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the players return, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"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 offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
