Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms 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 lot of 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 true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
