Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
