Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to deploy an traditional back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could solely implement the change when his team were performing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adapt, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to evolve.
"We will grow into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not intending to use a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, however, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
