Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a better side because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
