Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total 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 among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow 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 continental duty.
