Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
