Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
