Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"This will help us become a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a natural 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 always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
