Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
