Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players 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 international competition.
