Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external noise would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Today is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we need adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, however, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolves.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable 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 manager to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player 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 flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
