Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Now is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when all the players return, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle 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 chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
