Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
