Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date 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 continental competition.
