Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
