Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Issues Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
