Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a back six in the closing minutes as his side dug in for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"We were trying to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When media discuss 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 playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of personnel are available, we are not planning to employ a back three in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number 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 a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to let him to make a comeback after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably still 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 captain to continue offering insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's always vocal. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
While the exact date for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
