Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
