Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to field an orthodox back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the closing minutes as his side held on for a victory - securing just their second-ever shutout of the season.
Despite he once memorably stated that even the highest authority could force him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the capacity to utilize alternative formations has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in that system, but it was the beginning of a process," he stated.
"The goal was to establish an identity. Currently is a separate moment. We lack a full complement of players, and we must adapt, so they understand the reason we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever media talk about altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"When we are performing strongly in our system, that is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to grow into a more complete squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven senior players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is understood to be pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to continue offering input.
"He is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. After he finishes treatment, he goes to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"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 Key Players
While the precise date for Fernandes' return - and that of other injured players 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.
