Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
