Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
