Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming 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 the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
