Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
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 - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
