Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing 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 influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
