Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
