Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
