Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
