Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit 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 understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many 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 Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
