Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
