Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails 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, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
