Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
