Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
