Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I don't have the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
