Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a back six in the final minutes as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails 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 pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
