Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
