Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch 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 is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many things 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."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
