Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent 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 goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
