Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final phase as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars 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 duty.
