Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
