Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a separate moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. 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 true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
