Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
