Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an traditional four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a back six in the final minutes as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to play with varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood maybe I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Currently is a distinct time. We don't have a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When you criticize changing the formation repeatedly, I can't change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger side because when our full complement of players return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Challenges Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover 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 clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to carry on offering insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. 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 born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
