Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
