Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
