Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
