Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the fans.
"When media criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will grow into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Continue
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players 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 continental duty.
