Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual back three formation with wide defenders and chose to use an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could force him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to build an philosophy. Currently is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our system, then is the moment to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Injury Issues Persist
With only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to say his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Remains
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
