Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an standard four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing stages as his team held on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a different time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to adapt.
"We will become a better side because when our full complement of players are available, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails 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 clash, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view 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 is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly 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. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
