Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when all the players are back, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects 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
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
