Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
