Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and instead use an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that even the Pope could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with varied setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"The goal was to establish an style. Currently is a separate time. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever the press criticize changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"When we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
