Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. 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 Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
