Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise 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 among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
