Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys 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 true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
