Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and instead field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to utilize varied formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I don't have the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a separate time. We lack a full complement of players, and we have to be flexible, so they understand the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you discuss altering the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand 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 preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a depleted squad, with seven first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars 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 competition.
