Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
