Manager Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his side held on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to tweak his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an style. Today is a different time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"When the press criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the moment to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
With only two wins in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
