Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Currently is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
