Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have meant "the finish" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing just their second shutout of the season.
Although he once notably said that even the highest authority could pressure him to change his approach, Amorim maintains the ability to utilize different setups has consistently been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - or else it would seem as if he was succumbing to outside noise.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I don't have the personnel to excel in a back three, but it was the commencement of a journey," he stated.
"We were trying to forge an style. Today is a distinct moment. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adjust, so they see the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the fans.
"When the press talk about changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the coach.
"Only when we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the right time to change.
"This will help us develop into a better side because when all the players are available, we are not going to employ a back three all the time."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two victories in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with multiple senior players already ruled out for the upcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will rise if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves match, despite the fact he is reportedly pressing his manager to allow him to make a comeback following his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he needs to practice," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim anticipates his captain to continue providing input.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "He must not be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly vocal. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a multitude of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad training. There are a lot of things you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
