Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the closing phase as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the system all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
