Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when all the players are available, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
