Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
