Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to external noise would have been "his demise" for him.
Initially against Newcastle United, Amorim abandoned his trademark back three formation with wide defenders and opted to use an traditional back four with two holding midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately became a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team dug in for a victory - securing only their second-ever shutout of the campaign.
Although he once notably remarked that not even the highest authority could pressure him to adjust his approach, Amorim insists the capacity to experiment with different setups has remained part of his strategy.
However, he emphasizes he could solely make the switch when his team were performing sufficiently well - lest it would seem as if he was succumbing to external pressure.
"When I came here last season, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to excel in that formation, but it was the start of a journey," he commented.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a distinct time. We lack a full complement of personnel, and we need adjust, so they understand why we are switching things up.
"It is not because of the influence of you guys, or the fans.
"When you discuss changing the system constantly, I can't change because the squad will understand I'm altering things because of you and I think that is the end for the manager.
"Once we are performing strongly in our preferred setup, then is the opportunity to change.
"This will help us become a better team because when our full complement of players are back, we are not planning to employ three defenders in every match."
Squad Crisis Loom Large
With just two wins in eight games before beating Newcastle, it is arguable whether Amorim is accurate to state his side have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, working with a depleted squad, with multiple senior players already unavailable for the forthcoming home game against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That number will grow if playmaker Mason Mount is unable to recover the injury that led to his withdrawal from the Newcastle game at the interval.
Captain Bruno Fernandes is a key name who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly pressing his boss to allow him to return following his muscle problem.
"Fernandes is already insisting he needs to practice," said Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No chance. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old will almost certainly continue to be deeply engaged, as while most unavailable players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was spotted monitoring the warm-ups from the entrance of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim is sure his captain to carry on offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he declared. "He cannot be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and offering advice. He's constantly vocal. That is the reason he's the skipper.
"There are flaws sometimes - the way he gesticulates - but he has a lot of strengths. Even after he finishes treatment, he heads to observe the other guys training. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I'm not sure if he desires my job or not, but he's a leader. The guy is a leader."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the specific timeline for the captain's return - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, before the conclusion of January, United will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from international competition.
