Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize changing 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 end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of 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 true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
