Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
