Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the players to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view 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 is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"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 constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
