Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation 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.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
