Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing only 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 utilize varied formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
