Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
