Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue 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 offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
