Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two victories in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
