Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.