Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation all the time, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a stronger side because when all the personnel return, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "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 skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars 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 continental duty.
