Boss Ruben Amorim argues that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an standard back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase 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 one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.