Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"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. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other 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 competition.
