Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads 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 job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other 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 international duty.
