Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When the press talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think 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 is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to 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 pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
