Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal 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 understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking 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 strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
