Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest 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 perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
