Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails 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 be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 duty.