Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media criticize altering the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
