Manager Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different setups has remained part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When media criticize altering the formation all the time, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a more complete team because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to let him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
