Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
