Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Now is a distinct time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss altering the system constantly, I can't change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a better side because when all the players return, we are not planning to use a back three exclusively."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple senior stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
