Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will become a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
