Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When you talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We will develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot 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 at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects 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 precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
