Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
