Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his squad dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once famously stated that even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only implement the change when his team were faring at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Loom Large
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise 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 among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the exact date for Fernandes' comeback - 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 see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
