Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
