Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the option to experiment with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
