Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. 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."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars 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.
