Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured 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 unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.