Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize different setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When 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 stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
With only two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view 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 expects his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
