Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
