Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will become a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
