Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes 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 born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
