Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably said that even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
