Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
