Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We lack a lot of players, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
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 return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
