Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy 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 communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes 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 job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
