Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars 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 competition.
