Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
