Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his squad clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the system all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - 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 you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
