Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects 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 training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
