Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
