Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "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 use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Today is a distinct time. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When the press criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a better squad because when all the players return, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, operating with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
