Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
