Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
