Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a better squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
