Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his side held on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
While he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has consistently been part of his plan.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would look as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the start of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a separate moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the supporters.
"When you criticize altering the formation all the time, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, that is the right time to change.
"We are going to become a better side because when all the personnel are back, we are not going to use a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Persist
With just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering insight.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
Although the precise date 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, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
