Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
