Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
