Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
