Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"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 is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
