Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
