Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
