Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date 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.
