Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker 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 miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
