Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
