Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' 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 see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
