Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players 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 competition.
