Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable 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 expects his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
