Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
