Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
