Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to play with varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
