Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
