Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other 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 international competition.
