Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
