Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
