Head coach Ruben Amorim contends that changing Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
For the first time against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wide defenders and chose to deploy an standard back four with two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his side clung on for a crucial result - securing only their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once notably said that even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different setups has always been part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were faring at an acceptable level - or else it would look as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the players to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to build an style. Now is a different moment. We don't have a full complement of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When you talk about changing the formation repeatedly, I can't make a change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I believe that is the end for the coach.
"Once we are playing well in our preferred setup, that is the moment to evolve.
"We will become a better side because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With only two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to claim his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a injury-ravaged roster, with seven first-team players already unavailable for the upcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That total will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to shake off the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will miss the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is reportedly pushing his manager to let him to return following his hamstring injury.
"Fernandes is already saying he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Role Endures
However, the Portuguese star will likely continue to be heavily involved, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was observed monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his leader to carry on offering input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be the type of player that when he is not playing, he's silent and offering advice. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"He has flaws sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a lot of good things. After he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the rest of the squad training. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my position or not, but he's a born leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the exact date for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
