Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after 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 chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars 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 carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
