Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's formation due to media noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
