Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off 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 understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars 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.
