Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual back three setup with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing just their second shutout of the season.
While he once famously stated that not even the highest authority could compel him to adjust his system, Amorim insists the ability to play with alternative setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I didn't possess the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a project," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an style. Now is a separate time. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they understand why we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"Whenever media criticize altering the formation constantly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, then is the right time to change.
"We are going to develop into a more complete squad because when all the personnel return, we are not planning to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team players already unavailable for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the 31-year-old will likely continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most unavailable stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he goes to observe the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Players
While the precise timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
