Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
