Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to build an style. Now is a separate juncture. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder 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 let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys 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 leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
