Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
