Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
