Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media criticize altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
