Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, 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 manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 continental duty.
