Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless 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 miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch 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 anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players 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 continental duty.
