Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
