Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
