Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit 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 pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
