Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
