Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players return, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, 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 insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
