Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
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 welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
