Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects 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 Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
