Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his squad dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "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 bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
