Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
