Boss Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the latter stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once notably stated that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with different formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he said.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I can't make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Persist
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will likely still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
