Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe 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."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
