Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
