Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"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 start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
