Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter phase as his squad clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a different juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When media criticize altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
