Manager Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's tactical system due to public pressure would have meant "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to use an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a back six in the final stages as his side held on for a victory - securing only their second shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that not even the Pope could force him to change his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to experiment with alternative setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external noise.
"At the time I came here last season, I understood maybe I don't have the personnel to perform effectively in that system, but it was the beginning of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an philosophy. Now is a different juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the influence of the media, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of you and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Once we are getting results in our system, that is the moment to evolve.
"We are going to become a more complete team because when all the personnel return, we are not going to employ a back three in every match."
Availability Crisis Continue
Having just two victories in their last eight outings before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, though, working with a depleted roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. That's definitive."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing guidance.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of good things. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a true captain."
Recovery Schedule for Key Players
While the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
