Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Now is a different time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
