Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy 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 negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. 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. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
