Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
