Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
