Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. 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. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
