Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
