Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a different time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
