Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.