Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media discuss changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, 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 position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
