Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
