Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - 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 welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
