Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies 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 external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed 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 Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
