Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars 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 competition.
