Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final stages as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when all the players are available, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
