Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Today is a different time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"This will help us grow into a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
