Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have been "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his usual back three setup with wide defenders and instead use an orthodox back four shielded by two central midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this at times became a back six in the final stages as his side clung on for a win - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could compel him to tweak his approach, Amorim insists the ability to experiment with alternative formations has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he stresses he could only make the switch when his team were doing sufficiently well - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to outside pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to excel in that system, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"Our aim was to establish an style. Now is a distinct moment. We are missing a lot of players, and we have to adjust, so they see why we are switching things up.
"This isn't because of the demands of journalists, or the fans.
"Whenever the press talk about altering the system constantly, I cannot make a change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the end for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a stronger squad because when our full complement of players are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, nonetheless, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with multiple first-team stars already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is understood to be pressing his boss to allow him to return after his muscle injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as while most injured stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering guidance.
"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 always vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. 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."
Recovery Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars 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 continental competition.
