Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
