Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
