Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.