Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the final phase as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us become a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise 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, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
