Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury 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 understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads 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 position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
