Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
