Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But 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 likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, 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 anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
