Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize different formations has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
