Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable 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 clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
