Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless 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 half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - 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 continental duty.
