Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 duty.
