Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
