Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
