Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
