Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
