Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, 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 affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
