Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
