Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, 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 noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
