Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
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, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
