Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
