Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
