Boss Ruben Amorim says that changing Man Utd's formation due to media pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his usual three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and chose to field an standard four-man defense with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively became a six-man defensive block in the final minutes as his team held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once famously remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim asserts the option to play with different formations has remained part of his long-term vision.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would appear as if he was succumbing to outside criticism.
"When I came here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the players to excel in that formation, but it was the beginning of a process," he said.
"Our aim was to establish an identity. Today is a separate juncture. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are making changes.
"It is not because of the pressure of the media, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will understand I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the coach.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the moment to change.
"We are going to become a more complete squad because when all the personnel are available, we are not planning to play with a back three exclusively."
Squad Issues Loom Large
Having only two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, however, managing with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably continue to be a prominent presence, as whereas most injured stars view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue providing guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. After he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a many aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Key Personnel
Although the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
