Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will become a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
