Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying 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 Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
