Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wide defenders and instead field an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once notably stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a distinct time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press criticize changing the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a more complete squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting 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 Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
