Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When media talk about changing the system all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
