Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately became a back six in the closing minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the option to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"The goal was to forge an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to evolve.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple first-team stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to let him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
