Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific 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.
