Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing 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 fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch 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 anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads 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 job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
