Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Now is a separate moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When media discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better team because when all the players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders exclusively."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow 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 continental competition.
