Boss Ruben Amorim argues that changing Man Utd's formation due to external pressure would have signaled "the end" for him.
Initially against Newcastle, Amorim moved away from his customary three-at-the-back formation with wide defenders and chose to deploy an orthodox four-man defense shielded by two central midfielders.
He himself conceded this ultimately transformed into a six-man defensive block in the final stages as his team clung on for a crucial result - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the campaign.
While he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could compel him to change his approach, Amorim asserts the option to utilize different formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could solely make the switch when his team were performing at an acceptable level - lest it would seem as if he was bowing to external criticism.
"When I arrived here the previous campaign, I recognized perhaps I lacked the personnel to play well in a back three, but it was the commencement of a project," he said.
"We were trying to forge an philosophy. Now is a distinct juncture. We lack a lot of personnel, and we have to adapt, so they comprehend why we are changing.
"This isn't because of the influence of journalists, or the fans.
"When the press discuss altering the formation repeatedly, I cannot change because the squad will believe I'm changing because of you and I feel that is a disaster for the manager.
"Once we are playing well in our system, that is the moment to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger team because when all the players are available, we are not going to play with a back three all the time."
Squad Issues Loom Large
With just two victories in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is questionable whether Amorim is accurate to state his team have been in good form.
He is, though, working with a severely stretched roster, with seven first-team stars already unavailable for the upcoming home game against struggling Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That total will grow if midfielder Mason Mount fails to shake off the injury 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, even though he is reportedly urging his boss to let him to make a comeback following his hamstring injury.
"Bruno is already insisting he needs to train," revealed Amorim. "But there is absolutely no possibility he is going to play against Wolves. No way. That's definitive."
The Captain's Leadership Endures
However, the Portuguese star will probably still be a prominent presence, as while most unavailable stars view 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 anticipates his leader to carry on providing input.
"The guy is a natural leader," he affirmed. "He cannot be that guy that when he is not playing, he's silent and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That is the reason he's the captain.
"There are negative aspects at times - his mannerisms he gesticulates - but he has a lot of good things. After he recovers, he heads to observe the rest of the squad practicing. There are a many aspects that go unnoticed.
"I don't know if he wants my position or not, but he's a leader. He is a true captain."
Recovery Timeline for Key Personnel
While the precise timeline for Fernandes' comeback - and that of fellow injured players like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - remains unknown, before the conclusion of January, the club will see the return of Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental competition.
