Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot 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.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
