Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the players return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent 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 forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
