Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Injury Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
