Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing stages as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
While he once memorably said that even the highest authority could force him to tweak his approach, Amorim maintains the option to utilize alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - otherwise it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Now is a different moment. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are getting results in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We will develop into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to employ three defenders exclusively."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is right to say his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven senior stars already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Leadership Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will probably continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue offering guidance.
"He is a natural leader," he stated. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's return - and that of other injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
