Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed 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 offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
