Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
