Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. 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 Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
