Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise 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 match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view 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 expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
