Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder 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 miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot 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.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
