Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
