Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he commented.
"We were trying to build an philosophy. Today is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize altering the system all the time, I cannot make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. 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. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
