Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media criticize changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will become a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
