Boss Ruben Amorim contends that altering Manchester United's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three setup with wide defenders and chose to use an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once memorably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the ability to play with different formations has remained part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to perform effectively in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he said.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a separate time. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the demands of you guys, or the fans.
"Whenever media discuss changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our preferred setup, that is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete side because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal 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 pushing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue providing guidance.
"The guy is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and speaking. He's always communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are bad things at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I don't know if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
