Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys 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 born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
