Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
