Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. 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 leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date 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 welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
