Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to field an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to experiment with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only implement the change when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to outside pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the personnel to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a different moment. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the fans.
"Whenever you talk about altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the right time to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with a back three in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with seven senior players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.