Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
