Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said 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 Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
