Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
