Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
