Head coach Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to public noise would have signaled "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and instead use an traditional back four with two central midfielders.
By his own admission this effectively functioned as a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team dug in for a crucial result - securing only their second clean sheet of the campaign.
Although he once memorably said that not even the highest authority could compel him to change his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize different setups has always been part of his long-term vision.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - lest it would appear as if he was giving in to external criticism.
"At the time I arrived here last season, I realized maybe I didn't possess the squad to play well in that formation, but it was the commencement of a process," he stated.
"Our aim was to forge an style. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of players, and we need be flexible, so they comprehend the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the pressure of you guys, or the faithful.
"Whenever you criticize altering the system repeatedly, I can't change because the players will think I'm altering things because of external voices and I think that is the end for the manager.
"When we are playing well in our system, then is the right time to change.
"This will help us grow into a stronger squad because when our full complement of personnel return, we are not planning to employ a back three all the time."
Availability Challenges Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is correct to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, operating with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team players already ruled out for the upcoming fixture against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, despite the fact he is understood to be pushing his manager to allow him to return after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. No way. You can quote me on that."
Fernandes' Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was observed keeping a close eye on the warm-ups from the mouth of the player's tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing input.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is not playing, he's not talking and speaking. He's always vocal. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. Even after he recovers, he goes to watch the other guys practicing. There are a lot of things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Return Schedule for Injured Personnel
Although the exact timeline for the captain's comeback - and that of fellow injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
