Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad clung on for a victory - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a better team because when all the personnel are back, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. 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. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
