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 moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
