Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a more complete squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy 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 flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured 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 continental competition.
