Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching 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 back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Currently is a different juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When media talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to adapt.
"We will develop into a better squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
