Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot 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 negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
