Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
