Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury 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 reportedly 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 feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
