Manager Ruben Amorim argues that altering Man Utd's formation due to public scrutiny would have meant "the end" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim moved away from his customary back three setup with wide defenders and opted to deploy an orthodox back four with two holding midfielders.
Amorim acknowledged this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the closing phase as his team held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
Despite he once famously remarked that even the highest authority could compel him to change his system, Amorim maintains the option to utilize different setups has always been part of his plan.
Yet, he stresses he could solely make the switch when his team were faring well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external noise.
"When I came here last season, I realized maybe I lacked the squad to perform effectively in that system, but it was the start of a project," he commented.
"Our aim was to build an identity. Currently is a separate juncture. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need be flexible, so they see why we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the influence of the media, or the supporters.
"Whenever the press discuss changing the system repeatedly, I cannot change because the players will think I'm changing because of you and I think that is a disaster for the manager.
"Only when we are playing well in our system, that becomes the right time to evolve.
"This will help us become a better squad because when our full complement of players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders in every match."
Squad Challenges Continue
Having just two victories in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is accurate to say his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, operating with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolves.
That figure will rise if playmaker Mason Mount fails to recover the knock that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is among those who will be absent for the Wolves match, even though he is reportedly pushing his boss to let him to return after his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," said Amorim. "However there is no chance he is going to play against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Leadership Remains
Nevertheless, the Portuguese star will likely still be a prominent presence, as while most injured players watch matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his captain to carry on providing insight.
"The guy is a leader," he stated. "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 skipper.
"There are negative aspects at times - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of positive qualities. After he recovers, he goes to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many things that go unnoticed.
"I'm not sure if he wants my job or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the exact timeline for Fernandes' return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains uncertain, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international duty.
