Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
