Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a different time. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys 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."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured players 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 continental duty.
