Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a separate time. We are missing 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.
"When the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured 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 continental duty.
