Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. 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 Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars 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 competition.
