Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us become a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a 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 speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players 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 duty.
