Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
