Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
