Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise 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 opted to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
