Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will grow into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy 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 vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
