Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
