Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that switching Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his trademark three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and opted to field an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two holding midfielders.
By his own admission this at times transformed into a six-man defensive block in the latter stages as his squad held on for a win - securing only their second clean sheet of the season.
Although he once memorably said that not even the Pope could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim maintains the capacity to utilize varied setups has consistently been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would seem as if he was bowing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized maybe I lacked the squad to excel in that system, but it was the commencement of a process," he said.
"The goal was to establish an philosophy. Currently is a separate time. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the pressure of journalists, or the supporters.
"Whenever you talk about changing the system repeatedly, I can't change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I think that is the downfall for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to adapt.
"We will grow into a stronger squad because when all the personnel are back, we are not intending to use three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Persist
Having only two victories in their last eight outings prior to defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is correct to state his side have been in good form.
He is, however, working with a severely stretched squad, with seven senior players already confirmed absent for the upcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to shake off 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 clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his manager to let him to make a comeback after his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to train," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can write that."
Fernandes' Role Is Unwavering
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be deeply engaged, as while most injured stars watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the warm-ups from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on providing insight.
"He 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 always communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Players
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other unavailable players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, before the conclusion of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
