Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a better squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players 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 continental duty.
