Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing 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 don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - 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 aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
