Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"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 speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
