Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
