Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
