Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the specific timeline 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, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
