Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects 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."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
