Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly 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 tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"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 communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
