Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
