Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
