Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"This will help us develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
