Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the closing phase as his team held on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
