Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad 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. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
