Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a 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 is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
