Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
