Head coach Ruben Amorim says that switching Man Utd's formation due to media scrutiny would have been "his demise" for him.
In a first against Newcastle United, Amorim ditched his customary back three formation with wing-backs and instead field an traditional four-man defense shielded by two defensive midfielders.
By his own admission this ultimately functioned as a back six in the final minutes as his side held on for a win - securing just their second-ever clean sheet of the season.
Despite he once notably remarked that not even the Pope could pressure him to change his system, Amorim insists the capacity to utilize varied formations has remained part of his plan.
However, he clarifies he could only alter the tactics when his team were performing well enough - otherwise it would look as if he was giving in to external pressure.
"When I arrived here last season, I recognized maybe I lacked the personnel to perform effectively in a back three, but it was the beginning of a project," he said.
"The goal was to forge an style. Currently is a separate time. We are missing a full complement of players, and we must adjust, so they see the reason we are changing.
"The change isn't because of the demands of the media, or the supporters.
"When media criticize altering the formation constantly, I cannot change because the squad will think I'm changing because of external voices and I feel that is the downfall for the manager.
"Only when we are performing strongly in our system, then is the opportunity to change.
"We are going to develop into a stronger side because when all the players are back, we are not intending to play with three defenders exclusively."
Squad Issues Persist
Having just two wins in their last eight outings before defeating Newcastle, it is debatable whether Amorim is right to claim his team have been playing well.
He is, nonetheless, managing with a injury-ravaged squad, with multiple first-team stars already ruled out for the forthcoming fixture against winless Wolverhampton Wanderers.
That figure will increase if midfielder Mason Mount is unable to recover the knock that forced his exit from the Newcastle game at half-time.
Skipper Bruno Fernandes is one of those who will be absent for the Wolves clash, even though he is reportedly urging his manager to allow him to make a comeback after his hamstring problem.
"Fernandes is already telling me he has to practice," revealed Amorim. "But there is no chance he is going to feature against Wolves. Definitely not. You can write that."
The Captain's Influence Remains
However, the Portuguese star will almost certainly continue to be heavily involved, as while most injured players view matches from the stands, Fernandes was seen monitoring the pre-match routines from the mouth of the tunnel before the Newcastle game.
Amorim expects his leader to continue offering guidance.
"He is a leader," he affirmed. "He must not be that guy that when he is absent, he's not talking and speaking. He's constantly communicating. That's why he's the captain.
"He has negative aspects sometimes - his mannerisms he moves his arms - but he has a lot of positive qualities. Even after he recovers, he heads to watch the rest of the squad practicing. There are a lot of aspects you don't see.
"I don't know if he wants my job or not, but he's a born leader. He is a leader."
Return Timeline for Key Personnel
Although the specific date for Fernandes' comeback - and that of other injured stars like Kobbie Mainoo, Matthijs de Ligt, and Harry Maguire - is unknown, by the end of January, the club will welcome back Noussair Mazraoui, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo from continental duty.
