Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
