Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"This will help us grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
