Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
However, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we need adjust, so they understand the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"When you criticize changing the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on providing insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has 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 practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
