Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.