Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
