Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He 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 constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
