Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
