Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public noise would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you discuss changing the system all the time, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
