Boss Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media noise would have signaled "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three formation with wing-backs and instead deploy an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times functioned as a back six in the final stages as his squad dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once famously said that not even the highest authority could pressure him to tweak his system, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing well enough - lest it would appear as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he commented.
"Our aim was to forge an identity. Currently is a distinct juncture. We don't have a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot make a change because the squad will understand I'm changing because of you and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, that becomes the opportunity to evolve.
"This will help us develop into a more complete squad because when all the players return, we are not going to employ three defenders exclusively."
Availability Challenges Persist
With only two wins in eight games prior to defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to claim his side have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a depleted roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the injury that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be urging his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"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 Influence Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as whereas most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects 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 not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of 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 true captain."
Return Schedule for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
