Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
