Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when all the players return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable 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 competition.
