Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
