Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
