Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
