Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the final phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"This will help us become a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players 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 is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
