Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Manchester United's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us become a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal 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 reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
