Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal 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 reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He 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 speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
