Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other 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 international competition.
