Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
