Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
