Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
A tech enthusiast and relationship coach, Elara writes about the intersection of digital innovation and human connections.
