Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with a back three in every match."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow 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 competition.