Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe 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 leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
