Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch 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 expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
