Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
