Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a back six in the closing phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
