Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter phase as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When media criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players 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 is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured 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.
