Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact 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. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
