Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
