Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the latter stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to become a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
