Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time 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 commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
