Manager Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "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 use an orthodox four-man defense with two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"When you discuss altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will believe I'm changing because of you and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to adapt.
"We will become a better squad because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to employ three defenders all the time."
Injury Crisis Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly urging his boss to allow him to return following his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are bad things sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow unavailable players 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 duty.
