Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his customary back three formation with wing-backs and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively transformed into a back six in the closing phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different formations has consistently been part of his plan.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to build an philosophy. Today is a separate moment. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about changing the system all the time, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"We will develop into a better squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Squad Crisis Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his side have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes 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 leader."
Return Timeline for Key Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
