Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
