Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars 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 anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
