Head coach Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and opted to field an traditional four-man defense with two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the closing minutes as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that even the Pope could force him to tweak his system, Amorim maintains the capacity to experiment with alternative formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - or else it would look as if he was giving in to outside noise.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to establish an identity. Today is a different juncture. We are missing a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"The change isn't because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will believe I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that becomes the moment to evolve.
"We will grow into a better side because when all the players are back, we are not planning to use three defenders all the time."
Availability Issues Persist
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be urging his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already saying he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Is Unwavering
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable 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 is sure his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the specific date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
