Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When media discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable 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 is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
