Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, 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 continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although 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 competition.
