Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
