Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
