Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a better team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
