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 abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of 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 true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
