Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "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 instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.