Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with different formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
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 manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects 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 Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.