Boss Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his side dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to play with alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in a back three, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"The goal was to build an identity. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss altering the system all the time, 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 coach.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that is the right time to adapt.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Injury Crisis Continue
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
