Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a different time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," 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 Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
