Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
