Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final phase as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
