Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wing-backs and instead use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once notably stated that even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to play with varied setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering input.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
