Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot 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.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
