Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
