Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
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 following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "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 is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
