Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
