Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to build an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
