Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
