Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
