Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
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 hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural 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 communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. 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 desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players 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.
