Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
