Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
