Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will become a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
