Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes 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. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
