Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "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 skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
