Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
