Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
