Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the players return, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
