Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things 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 leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - 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 continental duty.
