Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
