Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
