Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the ability to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
