Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When media criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
