Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
