Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a back six in the latter phase as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder 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 be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
