Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view 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 offering input.
"The guy 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 speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
