Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
