Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
