Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the formation 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 coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent 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 withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - 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 many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
