Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final stages as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a separate time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
