Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his team held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
