Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first 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 defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when all the players return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
