Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a stronger side because when all the players return, we are not intending to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
