Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise 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 be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
