Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
