Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return 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 - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
