Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will become a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to use a back three in every match."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way 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 lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
