Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
