Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural 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 always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
