Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
