Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
