Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his squad clung on for a win - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
While he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was giving in to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Now is a separate time. We don't have a lot of players, and we have to be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to change.
"We will grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to use a back three exclusively."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
