Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why 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 rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
