Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and chose to field an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively became a back six in the latter phase as his squad held on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would seem as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must be flexible, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not going to play with three defenders all the time."
Injury Challenges Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a depleted squad, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already saying he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to continue providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
Although the precise date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
