Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final phase as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit 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 reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
