Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
