Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
