Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on 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 constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
