Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When media criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
