Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a 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 always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
