Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the final phase as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper 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.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
