Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit 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 allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
