Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing well enough - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to build an identity. Today is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"When media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, 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 desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
