Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable 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 expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
