Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
