Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
