Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"He 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 is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars 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.
