Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
