Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his team clung on for a victory - securing just their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I didn't possess the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a project," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a lot of players, and we need adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the formation all the time, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to grow into a better team because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolves.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
