Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once famously said that even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize varied formations has always been part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other injured 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 duty.
