Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different setups has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
