Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times 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.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
