Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his team held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing guidance.
"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 speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
