Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable 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 international duty.
