Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the final minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, 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 offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
