Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - 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 continental duty.
