Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will grow into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced 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 reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
