Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
