Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to media noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim ditched his usual back three setup with wing-backs and opted to field an traditional back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the squad to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, then is the opportunity to adapt.
"We will develop into a more complete side because when our full complement of players are back, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a natural 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 vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
