Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a better squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
