Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the latter minutes as his side held on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to play with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an style. Today is a distinct juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to use a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
