Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's formation due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
