Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
