Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Manchester United's tactical system due to media noise would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a back six in the latter phase as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
