Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that altering Man Utd's formation due to external scrutiny would have been "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to deploy an standard back four with two defensive midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final phase as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably stated that even the Pope could force him to adjust his approach, Amorim asserts the option to experiment with alternative setups has consistently been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he clarifies he could solely alter the tactics when his team were doing well enough - or else it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Currently is a separate moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we have to adjust, so they comprehend why we are switching things up.
"The change isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the supporters.
"When you discuss changing the system all the time, I can't make a change because the players will understand I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, that is the right time to evolve.
"We are going to become a stronger team because when our full complement of personnel are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Injury Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games prior to beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged squad, with seven first-team stars already confirmed absent for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pushing his manager to let him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. You can write that."
Fernandes' Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he stated. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly speaking. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws at times - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of strengths. After he finishes treatment, he heads to watch the other guys training. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Players
While the specific timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.