Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
