Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader 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 not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars 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 duty.
