Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
