Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, 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 leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. 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. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
