Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive 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-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
