Manager Ruben Amorim contends that switching Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have meant "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark back three formation with wing-backs and chose to use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter minutes as his squad held on for a win - securing just their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to play with varied setups has remained part of his strategy.
Nevertheless, he stresses he could solely implement the change when his team were doing sufficiently well - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I came here the previous campaign, I understood perhaps I lacked the squad to play well in that system, but it was the start of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Today is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of personnel, and we must adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever media talk about altering the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a better squad because when our full complement of players return, we are not planning to employ three defenders all the time."
Squad Issues Continue
With just two wins in their last eight outings prior to beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will likely still be deeply engaged, as whereas most injured players view matches from a private box, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the entrance 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 stated. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always speaking. That's why he's the captain.
"There are bad things at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the specific date for the captain's return - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
