Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed 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 carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. 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 leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
