Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a better team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. 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. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
