Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise 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 instead use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a different time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will become a better side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"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 communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
