Boss Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing 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 always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
