Head coach Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an orthodox back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously stated that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with varied formations has remained part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of players, and we must adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
