Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final phase as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will become a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker 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 be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players 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 anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
