Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state 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 forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, 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 providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
