Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for the captain's 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 international duty.
