Manager Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his customary back three setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an traditional back four with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the option to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only implement the change when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would appear as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized perhaps I didn't possess the squad to play well in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he commented.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a distinct moment. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they see why we are changing.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the supporters.
"When the press discuss altering the formation constantly, I cannot make a change because the players will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will become a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not going to use three defenders all the time."
Injury Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will probably still be heavily involved, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the entrance of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing insight.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. 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. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
