Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a 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 getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a better squad because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring 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 affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
