Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, 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 position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow 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 continental duty.
