Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a different juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off 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 match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
