Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to use a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
