Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
