Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to external 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 wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other 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.
