Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
