Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced 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 urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted 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 insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
