Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
