Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
