Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
