Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an standard four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the closing phase as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were doing at an acceptable level - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I lacked the players to play well in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to forge an style. Today is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the fans.
"When media talk about changing the system all the time, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are getting results in our system, then is the moment to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the players are back, we are not intending to employ a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Personnel
While the specific date for the captain's comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
