Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating 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 multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
