Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a victory - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to excel in a back three, but it was the beginning of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to establish an style. Today is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are getting results in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We will become a better side because when our full complement of players return, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
The Captain's Role Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, as while most injured players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing input.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. After he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Players
Although the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
