Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Manchester United's formation due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with different formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a different time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars 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 is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads 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 born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
