Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will grow into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
