Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission 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 season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
