Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
