Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever you criticize changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Challenges Continue
Having only two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
