Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.