Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"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 speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. 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. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
