Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot 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 performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
