Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
