Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
