Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still 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 leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
