Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. 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 leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
