Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
