Boss Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
