Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch 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 captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
