Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing 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 a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
