Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a different time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot 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 coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
