Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with different setups has always been part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media criticize altering the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"This will help us become a better side because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes 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 leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
