Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative formations 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 appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
