Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing 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 back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
