Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final phase as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted 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 carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
