Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
