Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured 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 competition.
