Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once famously said that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will become a better team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
