Manager Ruben Amorim says that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "the finish" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the latter minutes as his team clung on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
While he once memorably stated that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Nevertheless, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I came here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Today is a different moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we need adapt, so they see the reason we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are getting results in our system, that becomes the opportunity to change.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Challenges Persist
With only two wins in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Role Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on offering input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's always vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
