Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a better side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Injury Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
