Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. 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. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
