Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
