Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch 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 anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
