Manager Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's tactical system due to external scrutiny would have been "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark three-at-the-back setup with wing-backs and opted to deploy an standard back four shielded by two defensive midfielders.
He himself conceded this at times transformed into a back six in the closing stages as his squad dug in for a win - securing only their second shutout of the campaign.
Despite he once memorably remarked that even the Pope could force him to adjust his system, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has always been part of his strategy.
Yet, he emphasizes he could only alter the tactics when his team were doing at an acceptable level - or else it would appear as if he was giving in to outside criticism.
"When I arrived here last season, I understood perhaps I don't have the personnel to excel in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an identity. Today is a distinct juncture. We are missing a lot of personnel, and we have to be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are making changes.
"It is not because of the demands of journalists, or the faithful.
"When the press talk about changing the system constantly, I can't make a change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I believe that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that becomes the moment to change.
"We are going to become a stronger squad because when all the personnel return, we are not intending to employ a back three all the time."
Injury Crisis Persist
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is right to state his team have been playing well.
He is, though, managing with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will increase if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that led to his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is among those who will miss the Wolves clash, even though he is understood to be urging his manager to let him to make a comeback after his muscle problem.
"Bruno is already telling me he has to train," said Amorim. "However there is absolutely no possibility he is going to feature against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
The Captain's Role Is Unwavering
However, the 31-year-old will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable players watch matches from a private box, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he declared. "He must not be the type of player that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's always communicating. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - the way he moves his arms - but he has a multitude of strengths. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch 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. He is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Injured Personnel
While the precise date for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow unavailable stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unclear, by the end of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
