Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final phase as his team held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
