Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were doing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an style. Today is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to use a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
