Head coach Ruben Amorim contends 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 ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the closing phase as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We will become a more complete side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars 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 duty.
