Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad 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."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date 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, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
