Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
