Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
