Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
