Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When media criticize altering the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the right time to adapt.
"We will become a stronger side because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
