Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when all the players are available, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
