Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
