Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to 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 reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
