Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably stated that not even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied formations has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were faring sufficiently well - or else it would appear as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"At the time I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an identity. Currently is a different time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to become a better team because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Persist
Having just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain 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 hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to observe 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 born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
