Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, 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 guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
