Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
