Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
