Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Issues Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.