Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
