Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
