Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
