Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"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 captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
