Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
