Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public 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 field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
