Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
