Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to media scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his trademark back three setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side clung on for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably said that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would look as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to build an identity. Now is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the supporters.
"When the press talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to adapt.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not going to play with a back three exclusively."
Availability Issues Continue
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the injury that led to his exit 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 understood to be pushing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Endures
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be deeply engaged, 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 anticipates his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Injured Players
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
