Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead field an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Issues Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars 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 captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
