Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects 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 Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
