Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
