Boss 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 trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to use an standard back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his squad clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that not even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the ability to play with varied setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would look as if he was bowing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized perhaps I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the commencement of a journey," he said.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Now is a distinct juncture. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When media discuss altering the formation all the time, 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.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger team because when all the personnel are available, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Availability Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to say his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"He has bad things sometimes - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
