Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"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 precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
