Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
