Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit 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 pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. 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 leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
