Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
