Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the final stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view 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 is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
