Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
