Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
