Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow 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.
