Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
