Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes 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 born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
